Collapsible swimming or bathing pool



May 2., 1950 o. J. ALVAREZ coLLAPsIBLE SWIMMING 0R BATHING PooL 3 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1948 4May 2, 1950 o. J. ALVAREZ 2,505,845

COLLAPSIBLE SWIMMING OR BATHING POOL Filed Jan. 30, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENToR. zT/lwa dja 4z//4f5z MW 29 E95@ o. J. ALVAREZ 2,505,845

' COLLAPSIBLE SWIMMING 0R BATmNG-POOL Filed Jan, 30, 1.948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENToR. ff/fv/a dj@ 4L 41662 Patented May 2, 1950 COLLAPSIBLE SWIMMING R BATHING POOL Octavio Jose Alvarez, New York, N. Y., assignor to Alvarez Patent Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application January 30, 1948, Serial No. 5,349

s onims. l

My present invention relates to collapsible swimming or bathing pools, and more particularly to collapsible pools made of exible and foldable sheet material.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a collapsible swimming or bathing pool which is of simple construction and easy to manufacture.

It is also an object of my present invention to provide a collapsible swimming or bathing pool the side wall or walls of which are held in operative erected position by the buoyancy of the side wall or side walls themselves.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a collapsible pool which can be easily put into operative position ready for use simply by infiating the same.

It is still a further object of my present invention to provide an inflatable swimming or bathing pool which after inflation is in operative position, without the necessity of relying upon water pressure to expand the side walls of the pool.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a collapsible pool the side walls of which are constructed so that it is impossible to bend them outward when the pool is filled with water, thus eliminating the possibility of undesired overflow.

It is also an object of my present invention to provide a swimming or bathing pool which is very sturdy in construction so that it can be very well used by children as outdoor wading pool.

Finally, it is also an object of my present invention to provide a swimming or bathing pool which can be used on inclined ground without any danger of collapse or overflow.

With the above objects in view, my present invention mainly consists of a collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall, a collapsible side wall composed of a plurality of consecutive water impervious inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections joined to each other and secured to the above mentioned water impervious bottom wall along the perimetral edge of the same, and collapsible connecting conduits connecting these consecutive water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections in the region of the perimetral edge of the above mentioned bottom wall in such a manner that these collapsible conduits can be compressed by the pressure of Water introduced into the pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the inflated air spaces within the consecutive water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side Wall sections described above.

By providing a side wall of tubular shape, this wall is made self-supporting. By inwardly inclining this tubular side wall, the same will rest partly on the water and be forced upward by its buoyancy; thus, it is possible to prevent outward bending of this wall and eliminate the possibility of undesired overflow of water.

However, I have found that if the collapsible tubular side wall is uninterrupted, depression of this wall at one point will force the air within the same into other wall portions; this, in turn, will reduce the supporting force at the depressed Wall portion enabling overfiow of water.

Similarly, I have found that in some cases-if an uninterrupted collapsible tubular side wall is used-placing of the pool upon inclined ground will increase the water pressure against one wall portion, forcing the air Within the same into other portions of the wall which, in turn, might result in collapse of the pool.

In order to avoid these disadvantages, I proceed as outlined above, namely I sub-divide the collapsible tubular side wall into a plurality of side wall sections, connected only by collapsible conduits of the type defined above.

I wish to stress that these collapsible conduits have to be arranged under all circumstances within that portion of the pool which is exposed to water pressure so that such water pressure compresses the conduits interrupting the cornmunication between the inflated air spaces within the consecutive side wall sections.

In this manner--after introduction of' water into the pook-the side wall of the same consists of a plurality, preferably four or more, independent side wall sections, the air spaces within which are not connected to each other.

It is evident that the interruption of flow of air between the consecutive side wall sections will increase the supporting force of each of these sections and prevent collapsing of the pool when one of the sections is slightly compressed, or if the pool is placed on inclined ground.

As the inwardly inclined tubular side wall is made of highly exible and also at least slightly stretchable material, I have found it of great importance to secure a reinforcing cord or cable to the tubular side wall along its upper perimetral edge. This reinforcing cord or cable hasl to have the same length as the upper perimetral edge of the tubular side wall; of course, thus it is shorter than the lower perimetral edge of the tubular side wall and the perimetral edge of the water impervious bottom wall to which this tubular side wall is secured.

The tubular side wall has preferably an elliptical cross section when inated.

The tubular side wall has to be joined to the water impervious bottom wall so that any possibility of leakage of Water `along the perirneral edge is avoided. Preferably, the entire bottom wall and the lubular side wall are made of water impervious sheet material, e. g. a plastic coated fabric or a pactic, e. g. rubber sheet, and the tubular side wall is joined to the bottom wall by integrally uniting the plastic coatings or plastic sheets along the perimetral bottom edge of the side wall.

In order to inflate and deflate the tubular side wall, I provide a valve in this wall. `I also provide another valve in the bottom wall or along the perimetral bottom edge of the same reaching into the space within the pool so as to enable introduction of water into the pool or draining it therefrom.

The novel features which I consider as characteristic for my invention are set foth in particular in the appended claims. 'Ihe invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional obj'ects and advantages thereof, will be est understood from the following descrip'ion of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the swim-- ining' pool shown in Figures 2 to 7, similar to the 'section 'shown in Fig. 2, but showing the pool in uninlated condition;

Fig. 2 is a ve-tical section through the pool shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 7, along line 2 2 of Fig. 3, in inated condition;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the iniiatd swimming pool shown in Fig. 2, along line 3 3 of this figure;

l Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the iniiated swimming pool shown in Fig. 2, along line 4-4 o'f this ligure;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section along line 5 5 of Fig. 6 through the swimming pool shown in .Figures l to 4, 6 and 7, similar to th'evvertical secn vtion Shown in Fig. 2, but partly filled with water;

Fig. 6`is a horizontal section along line bof Fig. 5 through the swimming pool shown in Figures l to 5 and 7, partly iilled with water;

Fig. '7 is ay horizontal section through the swimming pool shown in Figures l to 6, along line 'l-l of Fig. 5, partly lled with Water;

V Fig. 8 is a top view of a modified swimming pool in inflated condition without water Fig. 9 is a vertical section along line S--e of Fig. 8 through the inflated swimming pool shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. lois a Vertical section through the swimming pool shown in Figures 8 and 9, similar to the section shown in Figure 9, partly filled with Water;

Fig. ll is a top view of still another modified swimming pool lled with water; vand Fig. 12 is a partial section through the swimming pool shown in Fig. 11, along line I2--l2 of Fie. 11. Y

The swimming pool shown in Figures V1 to '7 is composed of a water impervious flexible bottom wall 2|), having a rectangular shape, yand an inwardly inclined tubular wall 2|, joined along its lower edge to the perimetral edge 22 of the bot tbm w'all 2l). The upper perimetral edge 23 of this side wall 2i is shorter than the perimetral 'edge 22 of the bottom wall 2B, as clearly indicated in the drawing.

The inwardly inclined tubular side wall 2| is composed of an inner layer 24 and an outer layer 25, each of them having the shape of a strip.

In order to form the separate wall sections of the side wall 2l as set forth above, I join the inner layer 24 to the outer layer 25 at each corner of the pool as indicated in Figure 2 by numeral 26. These joints extend at three corners oi the pool from the upper perimetral edge 23 to a point 21 spaced from the perimetral edge 22 of the 'bottom wall 20, and at the fourth corner from the top to the bottom of the side wall 2 l, as clearly indicated in Figure 4 by numeral 28.

In this manner, it is possible to form three connecting conduits 2), at the corners 3U, 3l, and 32 of the Vswimming pool, connecting the wall sections 33, 34, 35, and 36 with each other.

I wish to note that in order to prevent outward bending oi the side Wall, it is advisable to provide along the upper perimetral edge 23 ofthe same a reinforced cord-like member 5LB, as clearly shown in the drawing.

My new swimming pool operates as follows:

In uniniiated condition, the swimming pool has the shape shown in Fig. l, i. e. the layers of the side walls are superimposed upon each other.

After initiation o the pool, the same assumes the shape shown in Figures 2 to 4, i. e. the side wall consists of the iour separate iniiated air cushions formed by the side wall sections 33 to 35. These inated wail sections are connected with each other by the iniiated conduits 28 at the corners 3i), 3 l and 32 ofthe pool.

I wish to note that in some cases it is advisable to make the outer layer 25 of the side wall 2i of thicker material and the inner layer 24 of thinner material so as to facilitate compression of this latter layer. Y

It should be noted that after inflation of the pool, but before water is introducedV into the same, the lfour side wall sections communicate with each other by means of the inflated conduits 28. 4 Y

After introduction of water V39 into the pool,

` the same assumes the shape shown in Figures 5 to '7. Thus, in water lled condition, the Water presses the lower portion of the side Wall sections outward forming 'four independentpartly cornpressed air cushions 4Q, supported, due to their buoyancy, by the water. Itvshould be 'stressed that these four air cushions 4d are not connected with each other. This `is due to the fact that the inflated air conduits 2S are compressed by the water pressure, as indicated in Figure 5 by numeral 4l.

In this manner, it is possible to have connected air spaces during inflation of the pool and to automatically disconnect the sia-me and to 'form independent air cushions by introducing Water into the pool.

In Figures 8 to 10 I have shown a swimming pool which is provided with four side -wall sections 42 divided at the corners of the ,pool byside walls 43 extending from the top `edge of the pool to the bottom wall 44 thereof. This bottom wall 44 consists, however, of two bottom layers 45 and 45, connected by spacing members 4l.

If `a pool of this type is iniiated, the air'reaches the various air compartments within the side Wall sections 42 by means of the conduit 43 formed within the bottom wall 44 between 'the two layers 45 and 45 thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

As soon as the thus inflated pool is filled with water, the bottom layer 45 isdepres'sed and superimposed upon the bottom layer I"46, thereby 'cut'- ting off connection between the air spaces 49 within the side wall sections 42, making the same independent from each other.

In Figures 11 and 12, I have shown still another modified embodiment of my present invention in which I provide four vertical dividing walls B, forming four independent wall sections 5l. In this pool construction, I provide four connecting tubes 52, each passing through one of the dividing walls 59, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1l. These tubes 52 permanently connect the wall sections; however, the inner layer of the side wall is pressed outward when water is introduced into the pool and contacts the outer side wall layer, as indicated by numeral 53 in Figure 11, preventing access of air to the connecting tubes 52 and making the air cushions within the wall sections 5l independent from each other.

I wish to note that it is also possible to close the connecting tubes 52 instead of by means of compressing the side walls, by separate small hand operated valves arranged within these connecting tubes and operable from outside or inside of the tubes, after the same have been inated.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also nd a useful application in other types of swimming and bathing pools, differing from the types described above.

While I have illustrated and described the I invention as embodied in swimming and bathing pools provided with inwardly inclined side wall sections, l do not intend to be limited to the details shown, since various modications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of my invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of my invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specic aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a collapsible side wall composed of a plurality of consecutive water impervious tubular side wall sections joined to each other along the perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall; and collapsible connecting conduits connecting said consecutive side wall sections and arranged in the region of said perimetral edge of said bottom wall so as to be adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water Within said swimming or bathing pool thereby disrupting the communication between the air spaces Within said tubular side wall sections.

2. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a collapsible side wall composed of a plurality of consecutive water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections joined to each other along the perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall; and collapsible connecting conduits connecting said consecutive side wall sections arranged within the lower part of said pool so as to be adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water introduced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the air spaces within said consecutive inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections.

3. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a collapsible side wall composed of a plurality of consecutive water impervious tubular collapsible side wall sections joined to each other along the perimetral edge of said Water impervious bottom wall; and collapsible connecting conduits arranged within the lower portion of said collapsible side wall so as to be adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water introduced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the air spaces within said consecutive tubular collapsible side wall sections.

4. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a water impervious tubular collapsible side wall arranged along the perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall; and a plurality of transversal walls within said water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall extending each from the upper rim of said water impervious tubular collapsible side wall to a point within the lower half of said side wall, forming thereby a plurality of consecutive collapsible side wall sections within said collapsible tubular side wall connected with each other by collapsible connecting conduits near said perimetral edge of said bottom wall, said collapsible connecting conduits being adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water introduced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the air spaces within said consecutive tubular collapsible side Wall sections.

5. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall arranged along the perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall and having an upper perimetral edge being shorter than said perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall; a substantially nonstretchable reinforcing member secured to said water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall along said upper perimetral edge thereof; and a plurality of dividing means extending within said water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall normal to the longitudinal direction of the same from said upper perimetral edge thereof to a point within the lower half of said water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall, said dividing means forming within said Water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall a plurality of consecutive inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections connected to each other only by collapsible connecting conduits near said perimetral edge of said water` impervious bottom wall, said collapsible connecting conduits being adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water introduced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the air spaces within said consecutive inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections.

6. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a water impervious inwardlyl inclined tubular collapsible side wall arranged along the perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall and having an upper perimetral edge being shorter than said perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall; and a plurality of transvers'al joints extending within said Water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall normal to the longitudinal direction of the saine from said upper perimetral edge thereof to a point within the lower half of said water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall; said transversal joints forming Within said water impervious inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side Wall a plurality of consecutive inwardly inclined tubulaicollapsible side wall sections connected to each other only by collapsible connecting conduits near said perimetral edge of said Water impervious bottom Wall, said collapsible connecting conduits being adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water introduced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the airspaces Within said consecutive inwardly inclined tubular collapsible side wall sections.

7'. A collapsible swimming or bathing pool comprsing in combination a water impervious bottom wall; a water impervious tubular collapsible side wall arranged along the perimetral' edge of saidl water impervious bottom wall and having an upper perimetraledge bei-ng shorter than said' n perimetral edge of said Water impervious bottom Wall.; a plurality of dividing mea-ns extending within said water impervious tubular collapsible side Wall normal to the longitudinal direction of the same from said upper perimetral edge thereof substantially to said perimetral edge of said Water impervious bottomA wall; and collapsible connecting conduit means in the region of said perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall connecting with each other the side wall sections formed by said dividing means within said tubular collapsible side wall in such a manner as toY be adapted to be compressed by the pressure of water introduced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between said side wall sections.

8. A collapsible swimming orv bathing pool comprising in combination a water impervious bottom Wall; a collapsible side wall composed of a plurality of consecutive elongated water impervious tubular collapsibleV side wall sections secured to each other along their transversal edges and to the perimetral edge of said water impervious bottom wall along one of their longitudinal edges; and collapsible connecting conduits connecting said consecutive side wall sections arranged within the lower part of said pool so as to be adapted to be compressed by the pressure of Water intro-V duced into said pool, thereby disrupting the communication between the air spaces within saidconsecutive tubular collapsible side wall sections.

OCTAVIO JOSE ALVAREZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the filev of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

